Puig is among top five for all-star Final Vote

SAN FRANCISCO - One of the most spirited all-star debates in years is about to heat up even more.

Major League Baseball on Saturday announced that Dodgers rookie sensation Yasiel Puig is among five players in the running for a Final Vote selection.

Puig has put up monstrous numbers in a historic first month that's catapulted the Dodgers back into a pennant race, but his 31-game career resume is probably the thinnest of anyone who's garnered serious consideration for an all-star selection.

"If he continues playing the way he has I think he does" deserve to play in the all-star game, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said.

"If you're trying to put the best players on the field, at least the first four weeks, give me somebody who's been better.

"It's no longer an exhibition. It's a game that gives a league the right to home field (advantage) in the fall classic."

As expected, Dodgers 2011 Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw was named to his third straight all-star team. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez and Puig are among five Final Vote selections.

Puig is batting .407 (50 for 123) with eight homers, 19 RBIs. Gonzalez is hitting .296 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs and has a .845 OPS.

Kershaw (7-5) leads the league with a 1.93 ERA and is second with 126 strikeouts. His 0.93 WHIP (walks and hits per inning) is the league's second lowest.

Colletti said Kershaw's selection is "well deserved."

"Every day I see him he's working to get better, whether it's the day he starts or the four days in between," Colletti said.

The online fan vote for a final all-star selection ends on Thursday at 1 p.m. PDT. The Final Vote started after Major League Baseball announced its rosters Saturday afternoon.

Also on the Final Vote ballot are Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond, Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, and San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.

Ryu reacts to crash

Hyun-Jin Ryu watched news coverage of the deadly crash at San Francisco International Airport involving a flight that originated in his native South Korea in the Dodgers clubhouse before Saturday's game.

At least two people were killed and dozens more injured when the Asiana Airlines flight crashed on a landing strip about 13 miles south of AT&T Park.

"It's obviously very unfortunate," Ryu said through a translator. "Whether it's a Korean plane or not, it's a very unfortunate incident."